# Terry Allen (boxer)

Terry Allen (8 June 1924 – 8 April 1987) was an English flyweight boxer. During his career, he became British, Commonwealth, European and World flyweight champion.

## Family

Born in Islington, London, Allen's father was a professional boxer. His mother died when he was two, and he was raised by his grandmother. Six of his cousins were also professional boxers.

## Amateur career

He started boxing when he was nine and won a schoolboy championship. During his amateur career, he won 102 out of 107 contests.

## Professional career

Managed by Johnny Sharpe, Allen had his first professional fight in September 1942, at the age of eighteen. He beat Jim Thomas on points over six rounds at Caledonian Road Baths, Islington.
He then proceeded to win his first thirty-two fights. In 1942, during the Second World War, he joined the Royal Navy, and while stationed at Alexandria, Egypt, he fought and won fifteen bouts, between May 1944 and December 1945. By late 1945, he was considered chief flyweight contender by Ring magazine.
His first defeat was in May 1946, against Alex Murphy by a knockout, in the sixth round at Harringay Arena. He suffered a second defeat in March 1947, when he was knocked out in the first round by Rinty Monaghan.
In March 1948, Allen beat Dickie O'Sullivan on a disqualification to take the BBBofC South East Area flyweight title. In his next fight he was beaten on points by Jackie Bryce.
In February he beat Monaghan over 8 rounds, and in June 1949 beat Norman Tennant in an eliminator to get a shot in September at Monaghan's British title, with the European, Empire and world titles also at stake. They fought in Monaghan's home town of Belfast, and the result after fifteen rounds was a draw.
Shortly after this fight, Monaghan retired, relinquishing his titles, and in April 1950, Allen fought Honore Pratesi of France for the vacant European and World flyweight titles. The fight was held at Harringay Arena and Allen won on points over fifteen rounds to gain both titles.
In August 1950, he defended his World title against Dado Marino of the United States. The fight was held in Honolulu and Marino won a unanimous points decision to take the title.
In October 1950, Allen lost his European title when he defended it in Nottingham against Jan Sneyers of Belgium. Sneyers won on points, but the British crowd thought that Allen had won, and booed the decision.
In June 1951, Allen fought Vic Herman for the British flyweight title vacated by Rinty Monaghan. The fight was in Leicester and Allen won on points.
In November 1951, Allen had a re-match with Dado Marino for the World flyweight title. The fight was in Honolulu, and Marino won again by a unanimous decision.
In March 1952, he fought against Teddy Gardner for the British, Commonwealth and European flyweight titles. The fight was held in Newcastle upon Tyne, and Gardner won on points to take all three titles. Shortly afterwards Gardner retired leaving the titles vacant.
In October 1952, Allen fought for the vacant British flyweight title, against Eric Marsden. He won the title when the fight was stopped in the sixth after Marsden collapsed.
In October 1953, he had another shot at a World title when he fought Yoshio Shirai, in Tokyo. Unfortunately for Allen, the Japanese won a unanimous decision.
In February 1954, Allen defended his British title against Eric Marsden, who he had beaten previously. He won again, this time on a disqualification in the fifth round.
Allen was knocked out in the second round by the unbeaten Dai Dower in March, and his last fight was an unsuccessful challenge for the vacant European flyweight title. He fought Nazzareno Giannelli, in Milan, Italy, but the Italian won on points.
He was set to defend his British title against Marsden in November, but on 30 September 1954 announced his retirement from boxing.

## Retirement

Allen had worked as a barrow boy at the beginning of his boxing career, and after retiring, he was able to open his own vegetable business in Islington market.

## Professional boxing record

| 75 fights | 61 wins | 13 losses |
| By knockout | 18 | 3 |
| By decision | 41 | 10 |
| By disqualification | 2 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round(s) | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
| 75 | Loss | 62–12–1 | Nazzareno Giannelli | PTS | 15 | 10 Sep 1954 | 30 years, 155 days | Palazzo del Ghiaccio, Milan, Lombardia, Italy | For vacant European flyweight title |
| 74 | Loss | 62–11–1 | Dai Dower | KO | 2 (10) | 23 Mar 1954 | 29 years, 349 days | Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 73 | Win | 62–10–1 | Eric Marsden | DQ | 5 (15) | 16 Feb 1954 | 29 years, 314 days | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K. | Retained BBBofC flyweight title; Mardsen DQ'd for a low blow |
| 72 | Loss | 61–10–1 | Yoshio Shirai | UD | 15 | 27 Oct 1953 | 29 years, 202 days | Korakuen Baseball Stadium, Tokyo, Japan | For NBA and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 71 | Loss | 61–9–1 | Gaetano Annaloro | PTS | 10 | 28 Apr 1953 | 29 years, 20 days | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K. | |
| 70 | Win | 61–8–1 | Eric Marsden | TKO | 6 (15) | 21 Oct 1952 | 28 years, 196 days | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K. | Won vacant BBBofC flyweight title |
| 69 | Win | 60–8–1 | Jimmy Pearce | PTS | 12 | 25 Aug 1952 | 28 years, 139 days | Engineer's Club, West Hartlepool, County Durham, England, U.K. | |
| 68 | Loss | 59–8–1 | Teddy Gardner | PTS | 15 | 17 Mar 1952 | 27 years, 344 days | New St James Hall, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England, U.K. | For European, vacant Commonwealth and BBBofC flyweight titles |
| 67 | Loss | 59–7–1 | Maurice Sandeyron | PTS | 10 | 29 Jan 1952 | 27 years, 296 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 66 | Loss | 59–6–1 | Dado Marino | UD | 15 | 1 Nov 1951 | 27 years, 207 days | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | For NBA and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 65 | Win | 59–5–1 | Vic Herman | PTS | 15 | 11 Jun 1951 | 27 years, 64 days | Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire, London, England, U.K. | Won vacant BBBofC flyweight title |
| 64 | Win | 58–5–1 | Henry Carpenter | PTS | 10 | 30 Apr 1951 | 27 years, 22 days | Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 63 | Win | 57–5–1 | Jimmy Pearce | PTS | 8 | 11 Apr 1951 | 27 years, 3 days | Prince of Wales Baths, Kentish Town, London, England, U.K. | |
| 62 | Loss | 56–5–1 | Jean Sneyers | PTS | 15 | 30 Oct 1950 | 26 years, 205 days | Ice Rink, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, U.K. | Lost European flyweight titles |
| 61 | Loss | 56–4–1 | Dado Marino | UD | 15 | 1 Aug 1950 | 26 years, 115 days | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | Lost NBA and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 60 | Win | 56–3–1 | Honore Pratesi | PTS | 15 | 25 Apr 1950 | 26 years, 17 days | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K. | Won vacant NBA, European, and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 59 | Win | 55–3–1 | Peter Fay | PTS | 8 | 15 Feb 1950 | 25 years, 313 days | Prince of Wales Baths, Kentish Town, London, England, U.K. | |
| 58 | Draw | 54–3–1 | Rinty Monaghan | PTS | 15 | 30 Sep 1949 | 25 years, 175 days | Kings Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, U.K. | For NBA, European, Lonsdale, and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 57 | Win | 54–3 | Norman Tennant | PTS | 12 | 8 Jun 1949 | 25 years, 61 days | Dens Park, Dundee, Scotland, U.K. | |
| 56 | Win | 53–3 | Honore Pratesi | PTS | 10 | 3 May 1949 | 25 years, 25 days | Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 55 | Win | 52–3 | Jackie Foster | PTS | 8 | 3 Mar 1949 | 24 years, 329 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 54 | Win | 51–3 | Rinty Monaghan | PTS | 8 | 7 Feb 1949 | 24 years, 274 days | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K. | |
| 53 | Win | 50–3 | Dickie O'Sullivan | PTS | 12 | 24 Jan 1949 | 24 years, 291 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 52 | Win | 49–3 | Billy Hazelgrove | PTS | 8 | 10 Jan 1949 | 24 years, 277 days | Manor Place Baths, Walworth, London, England, U.K. | |
| 51 | Win | 48–3 | Tommy Farricker | PTS | 8 | 14 Dec 1948 | 24 years, 250 days | Prince of Wales Baths, Kentish Town, London, England, U.K. | |
| 50 | Win | 47–3 | Charley Wilson | PTS | 8 | 4 Nov 1948 | 24 years, 210 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 49 | Loss | 46–3 | Jackie Bryce | PTS | 12 | 25 Jun 1948 | 24 years, 78 days | Greyhound Stadium, Coatbridge, Scotland, U.K. | |
| 48 | Win | 46–2 | Dickie O'Sullivan | DQ | 2 (12) | 16 Mar 1948 | 23 years, 343 days | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K. | Won vacant British (South East Area) flyweight title; O'Sullivan DQ'd for a low blow |
| 47 | Win | 45–2 | Jimmy Gill | KO | 4 (8) | 18 Feb 1948 | 23 years, 306 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 46 | Win | 44–2 | Jackie Bryce | PTS | 8 | 21 Jan 1948 | 24 years, 251 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 45 | Win | 43–2 | Tommy Whittle | TKO | 3 (8) | 15 Dec 1947 | 23 years, 251 days | Kentish Town, London, England, U.K. | |
| 44 | Win | 42–2 | Frank Tierney | PTS | 8 | 12 Nov 1947 | 23 years, 218 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 43 | Win | 41–2 | Les Johnson | PTS | 8 | 3 Nov 1947 | 23 years, 209 days | Kentish Town, London, England, U.K. | |
| 42 | Win | 40–2 | Andy McCulloch | TKO | 5 (8) | 15 Oct 1947 | 23 years, 190 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 41 | Win | 39–2 | Johnny Summers | PTS | 8 | 26 Aug 1947 | 23 years, 140 days | Wembley Town Hall, Wembley, London, England, U.K. | |
| 40 | Win | 38–2 | Alf Hughes | PTS | 8 | 7 Jul 1947 | 23 years, 90 days | Engineer's Club, West Hartlepool, County Durham, England, U.K. | |
| 39 | Win | 37–2 | Pinchie Thompson | PTS | 8 | 17 Jun 1947 | 23 years, 70 days | Drill Hall, Willesden, London, England, U.K. | |
| 38 | Loss | 36–2 | Rinty Monaghan | TKO | 1 (10) | 11 Mar 1947 | 23 years, 254 days | Seymour Hall, Marylebone, London, England, U.K. | |
| 37 | Win | 36–1 | Billy Hazelgrove | PTS | 8 | 18 Dec 1946 | 22 years, 254 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 36 | Win | 35–1 | Billy Davies | TKO | 4 (8) | 4 Dec 1946 | 22 years, 240 days | Lime Grove Baths, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, U.K. | |
| 35 | Win | 34–1 | Frank Tierney | PTS | 8 | 30 Oct 1946 | 22 years, 205 days | Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K. | |
| 34 | Win | 33–1 | Les Johnson | PTS | 8 | 13 Aug 1946 | 22 years, 127 days | Wembley Town Hall, Wembley, London, England, U.K. | |
| 33 | Loss | 32–1 | Alex Murphy | KO | 6 (6) | 14 May 1946 | 22 years, 36 days | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England, U.K. | |
| 32 | Win | 32–0 | Abdel Hassan | KO | 3 (8) | 13 Dec 1945 | 21 years, 249 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Hocine Rabah | KO | 1 (8) | 8 Nov 1945 | 21 years, 214 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Sayed Mustapha | KO | 2 (8) | 12 Oct 1945 | 21 years, 187 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Mustapha Ezzatt | PTS | 10 | 6 Oct 1945 | 21 years, 181 days | Municipal Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Abdel Hassan | KO | 6 (8) | 16 Jul 1945 | 21 years, 99 days | Municipal Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Mustapha Ezzatt | PTS | 6 | 24 May 1945 | 21 years, 46 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Mustapha Ezzatt | PTS | 6 | 28 Apr 1945 | 21 years, 20 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Phil Milligan | PTS | 6 | 8 Mar 1945 | 20 years, 334 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Sapper Johnstone | PTS | 6 | 3 Mar 1945 | 20 years, 329 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Hassan Abou Saada | PTS | 6 | 4 Feb 1945 | 20 years, 302 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Christie Kyrisco | PTS | 6 | 4 Jan 1945 | 20 years, 271 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Chehata Hafez | KO | 3 (6) | 23 Dec 1944 | 20 years, 259 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Hassan Ramadin | PTS | 4 | 10 Dec 1944 | 20 years, 246 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Ahmed Marly | KO | 1 (4) | 8 Jul 1944 | 20 years, 91 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Georges Shamar | PTS | 4 | 10 May 1944 | 20 years, 32 days | Alexandria, Egypt | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Mickey Jones | PTS | 10 | 2 May 1944 | 20 years, 24 days | Victoria Hall, Southend, Essex, England, U.K. | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Roy Ball | RTD | 4 (10) | 21 Apr 1944 | 20 years, 13 days | Tower Circus, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Tommy Burney | PTS | 10 | 6 Apr 1944 | 19 years, 364 days | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Joe Josephs | KO | 4 (10) | 17 Mar 1944 | 19 years, 344 days | Town Hall, Hornsey, London, England, U.K. | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Joe Josephs | TKO | 4 (8) | 1 Feb 1944 | 19 years, 299 days | Town Hall, Hornsey, London, England, U.K. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Jackie Evans | PTS | 8 | 13 Jan 1944 | 19 years, 280 days | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Billy Hazelgrove | RTD | 9 (10) | 31 Dec 1943 | 19 years, 267 days | Tower Circus, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Mickey Jones | PTS | 8 | 29 Nov 1943 | 19 years, 235 days | Pype Hayes, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, U.K. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Jack McKenzie | PTS | 10 | 19 Nov 1943 | 19 years, 225 days | Tower Circus, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, U.K. | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Roy Ball | PTS | 8 | 4 Nov 1943 | 19 years, 210 days | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Ronnie Bishop | PTS | 8 | 30 Sep 1943 | 19 years, 175 days | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Tommy Burney | PTS | 8 | 9 Sep 1943 | 19 years, 154 days | The Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, U.K. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Les Johnson | PTS | 6 | 10 May 1943 | 19 years, 32 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | George Howell | KO | 1 (6) | 7 Apr 1943 | 18 years, 364 days | Drill Hall, York, Yorkshire, England, U.K. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Ron Kingston | KO | 4 (6) | 19 Mar 1943 | 18 years, 345 days | Pype Hayes, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, U.K. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Douglas Claxton | TKO | 4 (6) | 8 Mar 1943 | 18 years, 334 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jim Thomas | PTS | 6 | 3 Sep 1942 | 18 years, 148 days | Caledonian Road Baths, Islington, London, England, U.K. | |